Device for rolling up/rolling down a shade

ABSTRACT

A device for winding or unwinding of a shade includes a single drive motor having a drive shaft over which transmission devices can be slit. Each transmission device can operate a substantially horizontal tube which is movable with winding or unwinding of the shade upwardly or downwardly. The transmission devices have a slip coupling which can be blocked electrically and mechanically. In the blocked condition of the transmission device the tube is stationary whilst the drive shaft can keep rotating for operating of further non-blocked tubes. The tubes can be stopped in any desired position for more or less winding or unwinding the related shade whilst only a single drive motor is necessary.

The present invention relates to a device for rolling up/rolling down two shades (11, 12, 33, 34) to/from a respective rotatable tube (9, 10, 32), comprising a single drive motor (3), a transmission providing connection between said drive motor and each of said tubes (9, 10, 32), a coupling being provided between one of said tubes and said drive motor.

Such a device is disclosed in the international patent application PCT/NL 02/00792 and provides a reliable functioning winding system for a shade, allowing accurately adjustment of the starting and end position and which can be effective during long time i.e. many years, without failure.

To that end the device described therein comprises a drive motor being fixedly connected to the frame. Between the drive motor and the tube a drive shaft is provided being rotatable by the drive motor, whilst on the drive shaft in the direction of its axis displaceable and non-rotatable relative to said frame a transmission device is provided connected to said tube for transmitting the rotating movement from the drive shaft to said tube.

The improvement obtained results from the fact that no longer use is made of an expensive tube motor that is susceptible to damage and is difficult to install. A simple motor that is immovably connected to the frame is used instead. By means of transmission devices that may be present, a drive shaft, which will be fitted vertically in the case of vertically moving shading, is provided. The transmission device described above moves up or down in the vertical direction along this drive shaft. This vertical movement is imposed by the rolling up or rolling down of shading on the tube connected to the transmission device. This tube preferably extends in a direction perpendicular to the drive shaft.

The invention aims to improve the device according to the invention such that a more flexible use and control is possible.

This aim is realized in that said coupling comprises an electrically operatable clutch, which can be switched between an uncoupled and coupled position by operating means for said clutch, a control unit (55) being provided having an input for signals with regard to parameters of the surroundings, such as temperature, light, moisture, wind force and the like, and/or with regard to the condition of the shade, such as unrolled length and the like, for controlling said operating means.

Through a control unit the shade can automatically be controlled in the desired mode. Both the conditions inside and outside the greenhouse can be taken into account.

The device according to the invention can be used in any system, wherein at least two shades are operated by a single drive motor. By providing at least one electrically operatable clutch, control of at least one of said shades can be made independent of the movement of the drive motor. Preferably each of the shades is provided with its own electrically operatable coupling comprising a clutch.

Preferably, the device according to the invention comprises a system as disclosed in the international patent application PCT/NL 02/00792.

Furthermore the operating means can comprise memory means for storing data with regard to the position of the tube and/or the length of the unrolled tube dependent of values corresponding with data from the surroundings and/or the condition of the shade.

By fitting in the transmission device a clutch that is effective when there is overloading, i.e. an adjustable clutch, it is possible during continuous rotation of the drive shaft to limit the maximum torque per transmission device (adjustable max. roll-up force) and also to make this limitation take effect by means of an adjustable stop (beginning/end). In both cases the clutch becomes active, with the result that moment-limited disconnection of the roller tube relative to the drive shaft occurs. Through use of a braking feature between motor and tube in combination with the adjustable slip-action clutch, it is ensured that in the rolled-up position or in an intermediate position the roll-up tube does not roll out in an uncontrolled manner. Such a braking feature can be achieved with, for example a worm wheel.

However, it is also possible to provide the braking property in the drive motor, so that a relatively simple transmission in the transmission device will suffice.

For example, it may furthermore be decided not to close, or only to close partially, one of three shades situated one above the other, while the others are in fact fully closed. It is likewise possible with the construction according to the present invention periodically to ensure that shades are fully closed by periodically moving the drive shaft, so that any shade that is not fully closed will now be fully closed. This also applies, of course, to opening.

If the output shaft of the transmission device is rigidly connected to the tube on which the shade is received, basically no guidance of the transmission device or support for receiving the rotational momentum is necessary. These forces can be received by the tube. It is possible to independently guide the transmission in other cases along the frame or greenhouse or the like.

The device described above for rolling up and rolling down shades can also be used in the case of a so-called twin shade, i.e. a tube on which two shades are rolled on top of each other. One of these shades is connected in the manner described above to an immovable fastening situated above it, while the other shade has a weighted free end and extends hanging downwards.

Furthermore the device can comprise at least a further shade having a further inmovable top fastening and a further rotatable tube that is movable in said frame construction, for receiving and unwinding shade and a further transmission device movable on said drive shaft in the direction of its axis and not rotatable relative to said drive shaft for transmitting the rotating movement from said drive shaft to said further tube, said further transmission device being provided with a further clutch.

With this invention it is possible to operate a number of devices, for example situated one above the other, by means of one drive shaft. With this invention it is also possible to operate simultaneously by means of one drive shaft several devices that are situated one above the other and differ in terms of height and/or required torque. These devices may be situated between horizontal trusses of, for example, a glasshouse. By means of the clutch described above and operating means to be fitted for it, such as stops, it is possible during rotation of the drive shaft to make each transmission device, and consequently each shade, perform exactly the right movement, without overloading occurring. This means that a large number of tubes on which shading is wound can be operated by means of a single motor.

Furthermore, at least one further drive shaft can be operated by means of the single motor.

It is possible to operate not only vertically moving shades, but also horizontally fitted shades in this way. In this case the tube on which the shade is wound is kept taut by means of counterweights or another (spring) mechanism. It is possible to operate simultaneously with one drive motor not only horizontal shades, but also vertical shades or shades placed at an angle.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a device according to one of the preceding claims comprising the steps of:

determining the value of a surrounding parameter such as temperature, light, moisture, wind strength, time and the like,

selecting based on this value(s) a position of the tube and/or the length of the unrolled shade,

energizing the drive for rotating of the tube for unrolling or rolling the shade,

energizing the operating means for slippage of the slip clutch when the desired position of the tube, and/or the desired length of the unrolled shade is reached.

The method also relates to energizing of other operating means for slipping of further slip clutches when the desired position of the further tube and/or the desired length of the unrolled further shade has been reached.

More particular if several shades are operated by a single drive the advantages of the invention are considerable. Such shades can be operated in different ways, whilst a single drive is necessary. Operation can be realised for example based on energy saving. In green houses there are for example drive tubes at the inner side of the facade in the lower portion thereof. In such a case the lower shade can remain unrolled to prevent energy losses in outward direction. However, the higher positioned shades can be rolled up completely or partially in order to transmit as much light as possible. Such an operation can be dependent from the measured outdoor temperature, time of the day and the like being pre-programmed in a control unit.

The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically in elevation a part of a glasshouse construction provided with the assembly as described in PCT/NL02/00792;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the transmission device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross section along the line III-III in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 shows a variant of the shade according to the invention illustrated diagrammatically,

FIG. 5 a view of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 a plan view, partially in cross section, of a transmission as used in the device according to FIG. 5 and according to line VI-VI in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 a front view, partially in cross section, of a transmission as shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 a side view of the transmission as such.

In FIG. 1 the assembly as described in PCT/NL02/00792 is indicated in its entirety by 1. The frame of the glasshouse is shown diagrammatically by 2. It is easily possible to use a separate frame for the construction according to the invention, but in the case of a glasshouse this was not found to be necessary. A motor 3 is immovably fastened to the frame construction 2. The auxiliary shaft 4 is present, and a substantially vertically extending drive shaft 6 is driven by way of a right-angled transmission 5. The drive shaft 6 extends through transmission devices 7 and 8 respectively, by means of which tubes 9 and 10 respectively are driven, for the purpose of moving shades 11 and 12 respectively. Stops 13 and 14, which can interact with the operating means 25 and 26 respectively shown in FIG. 2, are present. The abovementioned shades 11 and 12 are illustrated in FIG. 1 by a solid line to the right of the vertical section 28. It will be understood that shades may also be present to the left of said section, as partially shown.

Details of the transmission devices 7 and 8 respectively are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It can be seen from these figures that shaft 6 is provided with a groove 15 extending along its entire length. The transmission device is composed of a box 17, which by way of a guide 29 (see FIG. 3) can be slid along its own drive (shaft 6) and the vertical T-section 28 of the frame construction 2.

Above gear sleeve 16, a sleeve 21 is provided, which, as can be seen from FIG. 3, is provided with a key-shaped projection 18, which means that sleeve 21 is not rotatable, but is slidable, relative to drive shaft 6. Sleeve 21 is provided with a(n) (adjustable) slip-action clutch 23, fitted corresponding to tooth system 24 on gear sleeve 16. By means of spring 22, tooth system 23 is driven to tooth system 24, so that the rotary movement applied to sleeve 21 can be transmitted to gear sleeve 16. If, however, the load is too great, tooth systems 23 and 24 will move past each other and slip will occur. The moment of slip can be regulated by adjusting initial tension in the spring. It will be understood that slip or disconnection can be achieved in another way. The clutch formed in this way is indicated by 20.

Operating pins 25 and 26, which act upon lip 40 of pulley 27, are present.

During upwards or downwards movement, in the end position the pins 25 and 26 respectively are brought into contact with stops 13 and 14 respectively. Said stops consequently move inwards, and during the rotation of pulley 27 lip 40 will come into contact with the corresponding operating pin, with the result that slip occurs. When there is rotation in the other direction of the drive shaft, pulley 27 will be able to make a complete, or almost complete, revolution before lip 40 touches the corresponding pin, but owing to this complete, or almost complete, revolution being made, box 17 is moved so far from the corresponding stop that the corresponding operating pin is moved back again, with the result that the movement can be carried out.

It can be seen from FIGS. 1-3 that, on rotation of the motor 3, drive shaft 6 is rotated. This causes the tubes 9, 10 to be rotated, so that the shade 11, 12 is wound up or wound down until stop 13 or 14 respectively is reached. At that moment the driving connection between drive shaft 6 and tube 9 and 10 respectively is broken. In other words, the end positions of tube 9 and 10 respectively are determined by the stops 13 and 14, and not by the ending of the rotation of the drive shaft 6. This makes it possible to connect a number of transmission devices one after the other on drive shaft 6. Furthermore, a safety mechanism is provided. In the event of overloading, the clutch 20 described above will also function, so that no damage is caused to the shades or drive. By means of the (adjustable) friction, the clutch 20 also prevents further rotation of tubes 9 and 10 if tube 6 is brought to a standstill in a position before a stop.

A so-called twin shade is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4. A central tube 32, on which a double shade is wound, is present. This is indicated by 33 and 34. Shade 33 extends upwards and is immovably fastened to the frame construction 2, like the shades 11 and 12. Shade 34 is provided with a weighted end, indicated by 35, which end is free, i.e. if desired moves upwards and downwards by way of a guide, by gravity. Tube 32 can be put in the place of tube 9 or 10. The same effect can be obtained in this way.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5-8 the device according to the invention is shown. The parts corresponding with the parts in the embodiment of FIG. 1-4 have been provided with the same references. The motor 3 is now directly connected to the angular transmission 5, driving a substantial vertical drive shaft 6. The transmissions 7, 8 each have an arm 9, abutting in the lower position of the tubes 9, 10 the associated stop 14. Arm 40 can pivot around pin 41 to swivel the lever 42. This lever 42 has two lever portions 43, 44 which can each be contacted with one side of the cams 45 being provided on the part 46 of the slip clutch 23. This part 46 is connected with shaft studs 56 through bevel gears 47, 48 and belt transmission 49, 50. The other part 51 of the slip clutch is unrotatably connected with the drive shaft 60.

As soon as the arm touches a stop 14, i.e. reaches the lower position of the tubes 9, 10, one of the lever parts 43, 44 is moved downwardly, such that the cam 45, being nearest, is positioned there against. The drive shaft 6 and the part 51 of the slip clutch continue to rotate, the part 51 slipping relative to the other part 46 of the slip clutch. The tube 9, 10 is stopped such that the shade is not further winded or unwinded.

Such a slip effect of the slip clutch cannot only be obtained by touching of the arm 40 against a stop 14. Also in other positions of the tubes 9, 10 in height direction the arm 40 can be operated through both solenoids 52, 53. As indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8 the solenoids 52, 53 operate a shaft 54 extending there between, which is connected itself with the arm 40. By operating one or both solenoids 52, 53, the shaft 54 and so the arm 40 is tilted. By providing an electrical signal to the solenoids 52, 53, the tube 9, 10 can be stopped in any desired height. The other tubes 9, 10 can continue to move or also be stopped depending from the control program. The tubes 9, 10 are axially displaceable but unrotatably connected with the shaft studs 56 for compensate differences in expansion.

This control can be controlled by the control unit 55 as shown in FIG. 5. To the control unit 55 signals can be fed, relating to the outer surroundings or both the outer and inner conditions of the greenhouse in which the device according to the invention is used. It can relate to temperature, moisture, direction of wind, light and the like. Furthermore signals can be fed to the control unit 55 with regard to the position of the tubes 9, 10, the position of the transmissions, i.e. whether or not they are in a slipping or non-slipping condition and the like. Based on a pre-programmed control the control unit can subsequently control the motor 3 as well feed signals to the solenoids 52, 53. In this way the tubes 9, 10 can be adjusted on any desired height independent from each other. Associated therewith the shades 11, 12 can be unwinded or winded at any desired length independent from each other.

With the subject invention it is possible to operate with a single motor different tubes for winding/unwinding of a shade whilst variations in height and/or tolerances can be compensated for. For example it is possible to connect several drive shafts with motor 3. In this way considerable savings can be obtained whilst because of the simple mechanical construction a longer service life than with tube motors is guaranteed. The above embodiment wherein the shades are displaced horizontally, can be realized particular simple by suspension to the gutters between the roof structure of greenhouses. It is also possible at a curved roof structure to connect a number of shafts 6 through cardanic clutchs with each other and displace a shade therein between.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by the person skilled in the art that it is possible to make numerous modifications, which spring to mind immediately after reading of the above, which are obvious to the person skilled in the art, and which lie within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the drive shaft and/or the shades may be fitted in a non-vertical position, alternatives are available in the prior art for obtaining the same moment of resistance, and numerous possibilities and alternatives are conceivable with regard to the use or otherwise and the design of the guide section 28. 

1-19. (canceled)
 20. Device for rolling up/rolling down two shades to/from a respective rotatable tube, comprising a single drive motor, a transmission providing connection between said drive motor and each of said tubes, a coupling being provided between one of said tubes and said drive motor, said coupling comprising an electrically operatable clutch, which can be switched between an uncoupled and coupled position by operating means for said clutch, a control unit being provided having an input for signals with regard to parameters of the surroundings, such as temperature, light, moisture, wind force and the like, and/or with regard to the condition of the shade, such as unrolled length and the like, for controlling said operating means.
 21. Device according to claim 20, wherein the operating means comprise memory means for storing data with regard to the position of the tube and/or the length of the unrolled shade dependent from the values associated with parameters of the surrounding and/or the condition of the shade.
 22. Device according to claim 20, wherein the clutch comprises a slip clutch and the operating means are embodied by transferring the slip clutch in unclutched condition by slipping.
 23. Device according to claim 22, wherein the slip clutch can be slipped in both rotational directions.
 24. Device according to claim 22, wherein the slip clutch comprises at least two slip clutch parts, a slip clutch part cooperating with the drive shaft and the other slip clutch part cooperating with the tube and having at least a stop portion, said stop portion can be brought into cooperation with the operating means for having the slip clutch slip.
 25. Device according to claim 23, wherein said operation means comprising a blocking means, which can selectively be brought in cooperation with the opposite sides of the stop portion seen in the circumferential direction of the slip clutch.
 26. Device according to claim 25, wherein said blocking means comprises a double lever having two interconnected lever parts which can each be engageable with the sides of the stop portion.
 27. Device according to claim 20, wherein mechanical operation means are provided for coupling/uncoupling of the clutch.
 28. Device according to claim 27, wherein the mechanical operating means comprise an arm as well as a stop connected to the frame for operating the arm.
 29. Device according to claim 20, wherein the operating means comprise at least a solenoid, servo-motor with screw shaft and the like.
 30. Device according to claim 28, wherein the at least one solenoid engages the arm.
 31. Device according to claim 30, wherein two solenoids are provided to operate the arm in opposite directions.
 32. Device according to claim 20, comprising a frame construction with an upper stationary fastening for said shade and a rotatable tube that is movable in said frame construction to and from said fastening for taking up/letting down shading, and guide means for moving said tube, said drive motor being rigidly connected to said frame, a drive shaft that can be rotated by said drive motor being present between said drive motor and said tube, and a transmission device connected to said tube, movable on said drive shaft in the direction of its axis and not rotatable relative to said frame, is present, in order to transmit the rotary movement of said drive shaft to said tube, said transmission device comprising said electrically operatable clutch.
 33. Device according to claim 20, comprising at least a further shade having a further immovable upper fastening and a further rotatable tube which can be displaced in said frame construction to and from said fastening for receiving/dispensing of shade as well as a further transmission device on said drive shaft displaceable in the direction of the axis thereof and non-rotable relative to the frame and connected to said tube, for transmitting of the rotational movement of said drive shaft to said further tube, said further transmission device being provided with a further coupling.
 34. Device according to claim 20, wherein the transmission device has at least a rotatable shaft stud and the tube is axially displaceable but not rotatably connected to the shaft stud.
 35. Method for operating a device according to claim 20 comprising the steps of: determining the value of a parameter of the surrounding parameter such as temperature, light, moisture, wind strength, time and the like, selecting based on this value(s) a position of the tube and/or the length of the unrolled shade, energizing the drive for rotating of the tube for unrolling or rolling the shade, energizing the operating means for slippage of the slip clutch when the desired position of the tube, and/or the desired length of the unrolled shade is reached.
 36. Method according to claim 35, comprising the steps of energizing the further operating means for having the further slip clutch slip, when the desired position of the further tube and/or the desired length of the unwinded further shade is obtained.
 37. Method according to claim 35, wherein the time of energizing of the different operating means is different.
 38. Method according to claim 35, comprising the step of rotating the shaft in opposite direction after obtaining the desired position of the tube and/or the desired unrolled length of the shade, for removing cooperation between the operating means and the stop portion. 